Russian parliament to debate toughening terrorism law

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian lawmakers will on Tuesday, Oct 15, consider in the first reading a presidential bill outlining punishments for a number of terror-related offenses, including criminal liability for training in terrorist camps, RIA Novosti reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted the bill to the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, late last month.

According to the document, individuals would face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 rubles (about $15,500) for training “with the aim of effecting terrorist activity,” while those who have established a terrorist group would face up to 15 years behind bars with a fine of up to one million rubles (about $31,000).

The proposed legislation also calls for up to six years in prison for anyone convicted of taking part in an “armed formation” not sanctioned by Russian federal law, or one operating on the territory of another country “with aims contrary to the interests of the Russian Federation” and not sanctioned by the national laws there.

The new bill likewise stipulates closer scrutiny toward property belonging to the relatives and loved ones of people who have “committed a terrorist act,” with the goal of verifying whether such money or goods were acquired legally.

It also envisages that damages inflicted as a result of a terrorist attack will be compensated “by the perpetrator and his or her family members, relatives, in-laws and other people, whose lives, health and well-being are significant to him or her because of established personal relations.”